A man pleaded not guilty yesterday to threatening a police officer and driving carelessly.

Mario Spiteri, 29, of Mtarfa, is accused of threatening a police constable at around 2.30pm in Valletta on 19 March 2006. The man is also charged with violently resisting the constable and disobeying his orders.

In addition, Spiteri is accused of driving a Jaguar in a careless manner without insurance, of breaching the peace and of using obscene language in public.

He also answered to charges of committing crimes during the operative period of a suspended sentence and of relapsing in view of previous convictions.

He denied all accusations and was granted bail against a Lm1,000 personal guarantee. Presiding magistrate Anthony Vella ordered Spiteri to pay a Lm500 deposit.

Inspector Silvio Valletta prosecuted.

Dr Roberto Montalto and Dr Jose Herrera appeared for the accused.